Steve Haney

A federal judge declared a mistrial in the arson trial of Jonathan Rinderknecht, accused of starting the 2025 Palisades Fire in Los Angeles, after the jury deadlocked with 10 jurors favoring not guilty and two seeking conviction. Prosecutors plan to retry the case, citing strong evidence linking Rinderknecht to the fire, which killed 12 people and destroyed thousands of homes.

A deadlocked jury in the trial of Jonathan Rinderknecht, accused of sparking the 2025 Palisades Fire that killed 12 people, could not reach a unanimous verdict after two days of deliberation. Prosecutors allege Rinderknecht started the fire, while his defense argues fireworks were the cause. The judge is considering next steps, including potential instructions to encourage further deliberation.

Firefighters provided conflicting testimony regarding fireworks during the federal arson trial of Jonathan Rinderknecht, accused of igniting the Palisades Fire. One firefighter reported hearing fireworks before the fire started, while another denied it, complicating the defense's argument that fireworks caused the blaze. A juror was dismissed after thanking a firefighter during testimony.

Prosecutors allege Jonathan Rinderknecht premeditatedly started the deadly Palisades Fire in Los Angeles on Jan. 1, 2025, while his defense claims he tried to stop the blaze and is innocent. Security footage and 911 calls are central to the case, with Rinderknecht facing charges including malicious destruction by fire.

Opening statements began in the federal arson trial of Jonathan Rinderknecht, accused of starting the deadly Palisades Fire near Los Angeles. Prosecutors allege he ignited the fire on January 1, 2025, using evidence like security footage and a seized lighter, while his defense claims he was watching fireworks and disputes proof of guilt. The fire killed 12 people and destroyed thousands of homes.

Opening statements began in the federal arson trial of Jonathan Rinderknecht, accused of sparking the deadly Palisades Fire in Los Angeles, which killed 12 people and destroyed thousands of homes. Rinderknecht, who pleaded not guilty, faces charges including malicious destruction by fire, with prosecutors citing geolocation data and a seized lighter as evidence. The defense argues he is a scapegoat for the Los Angeles Fire Department's alleged negligence, but a judge ruled such claims irrelevant for the trial.

Karen Bass did not testify in the Palisades Fire trial, despite being a potential witness. Rinderknecht’s attorney, Steve Haney, stated he wanted to call Bass as a witness but was unable to do so.

A trial began for Jonathan Rinderknecht, accused of igniting the Palisades Fire, which killed 12 people and destroyed thousands of structures. Prosecutors allege he set a smaller fire near a hiking trail in the Santa Monica Mountains, which later reignited as the Palisades Fire due to high winds. Rinderknecht faces up to 45 years in federal prison if convicted.

A federal arson trial began for Jonathan Rinderknecht, a Florida man accused of starting the 2025 Palisades Fire, which killed 12 people and destroyed thousands of homes. Rinderknecht, who pleaded not guilty, faces charges including malicious destruction by fire. His defense claims he is being scapegoated for the Los Angeles Fire Department’s failure to fully extinguish an earlier blaze.

A federal arson trial began for Jonathan Rinderknecht, accused of starting the 2025 Palisades Fire, which killed 12 people and destroyed thousands of homes. Rinderknecht pleaded not guilty, with his defense claiming he is a scapegoat for the Los Angeles Fire Department’s failure to fully extinguish an earlier blaze. The trial coincides with ongoing recovery efforts in Pacific Palisades and Malibu and has become a focal point in the Los Angeles mayor’s race.

A federal arson trial for Jonathan Rinderknecht, accused of sparking the 2025 Palisades Fire, begins as Los Angeles grapples with recovery. The fire killed 12 people and destroyed thousands of homes in Pacific Palisades and Malibu. The trial coincides with ongoing rebuilding challenges and political debates over the city's response.

A federal trial for Jonathan Rinderknecht, accused of sparking the deadly 2025 Palisades Fire, begins as Los Angeles grapples with recovery. The fire killed 12 people and destroyed thousands of homes in Pacific Palisades and Malibu. Rinderknecht, who pleaded not guilty, faces charges including malicious destruction by fire.